Car-seat.



.1 Y. L U I D E ML EL TYE N PN 0 0 0 I N... A% n N0 R U B L I K R .J Rm3 5 2. 8 o N APPLICATION FILED FEB. 18, 1902.

Inventors Witnesses 7n: NORRIS PETERS c0, wnsnmarorv, u. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN B. KILBURN AND ALBERT N. MOOONNELL, OF PHILADELPHIA,

PENNSYLVANIA,.ASSIGNORS TO THE HALE AND KILBURN MANU- FACTURING COMPANY,OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

CAR-SEAT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 10, 1906 Application filed February 18, 1902. Serial No.94,606.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN B. KILBURN and ALBERT N. MoCoNNELL, citizensof the United States, residing in the city of Philadelphia, county ofPhiladelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new anduseful Improvement in Car-Seats, of which the following is adescription.

Our invention pertains to the type known as twin seats, in which twochairs are mounted upon a suitable pedestal or other support andprovided with means for effecting reversal or other change in thedirection in which such chairs face.

The object of the invention is to provide a seat structure which shallconsist of but few and simple parts possessing maximum strength andefficiency and meeting all essential requirements in operation;

Our invention relates particularly to the means employed for effectingthe simultaneous reversal of the independently-mounted chairs or suchother change as may be desired in the facing direction thereof. This hasheretofore been accomplished to considerable extent by providing thespindles or pivots of the independently-mounted chairs with sprocketsand connecting these by means of an endless chain provided withmechanism for taking up slack therein.

Our invention is directed to improving upon, the prior construction sodescribed, avoiding the use of numerous loose parts, which are noisy andunstable in operation, which are subject to much destructive Wear, andwhich need considerable attention from time to time in order that theirusefulness may not be impaired. To accomplish these and other desirableends, we employ independently-pivoted chairs mounted upon a suitablepedestal or support. Mounted, preferably, upon such supporting medium isa' rotary shaft carried in suitable bearings. Each end of such shaft isprovided with a bevel-gear so connected with a chair or an appurtenancethereof as to effect by the rotation of such shaft the movement of suchchair. In practice the connection referred to consists, preferably, of agear upon each of the chair-pivots of such pitch and so arranged as tocoact with the gear upon the end of the rotary shaft. Thus the partsdescribed being in operative relation, the chairs so far as theirmovementis concerned are interdependent. Movement of one involves and,in fact, effects corresponding movement of the other. A twin-seatstructure so constituted is exceedingly simple, yet strong and durable.The parts are few, may be readily assembled, and not being subject toexcessive destructive wear need but little attention, if any, inoperation.

Our invention also involves the employment of mechanism whereby themovement of the twin-seat structure as an entiretyv and the movement ofthe chairs forming part thereof shall be interdependent. For thispurpose we employ a pedestal, pivoted chairs mounted upon a beampivotally supported by such pedestal, a rotary shaft preferably carriedby said beam, and gearing intermediate of said shaft and said chairs oran appurtenance of the latter whereby the movement of one chair shalleffect similar movement of the other.

In order that by a single movement the structure may be moved to one oranother of its several positions and in order that such movement shallinclude not only movement as an entirety, but also movement of each ofthe independently-mounted chairs, We provide mechanism intermediate ofthe pivoted beam and the pedestal whereby the movement of the formerrelatively to the latter shall effect the movement of each of thepivoted chairs. For this purpose we prefer to employ in connection withthe rotary shaft hereinbefore referred to a gear carried by said shaftintermediate of its ends and coacting with a track formed integral withor. secured .to the supporting-pedestal. Obviously as the beam is movedrelatively to the pedestal the shaft will be caused to rotate,

and such rotation being transmitted through the gears carried by suchshaft to the chairs will cause the reversal of such chairs, so that theyshall face in any one of the severaldirections in which the structure isadapted to be utilized. This movement of the chairsupporting beam may beefiected in any manner-as, for instance, by moving each beam of a seriesof chairs separately and by hand. We prefer, however, to operate them inmultiple, a number of the twin-chair structures beroo ing connectedtogether, so as to be operated simultaneously. In carrying out thisfeature of the invention we employ an oscillating rod or bar located,preferably, on or adjacent to the side of the car in which the seats areintended to be used, such rod being provided opposite each twin-seatstructure with a stud which coacts with an elongated slot formed in theend of a connecting-bar, the other end of such bar being secured to orformed integral with one of the beams upon which a pair of chairs ismounted. Obviously movement of such rod in one direction willcorrespondingly shift the beam upon its pivot, and this movement of suchbeam may be employed to effect the reversal of the chairs. The sameoperation will take place upon the movement of the rod in the oppositedirection. Such rod may be provided with locking means in order to makeindividual locking mechanism upon each of the twinseat structuresunnecessary, and in addition such rod may be actuated either manually orby elastic-fluid pressure. Such rod may be employed to connect andoperate either the entire number of twin seats on one side of arailway-car or there may be a separate rod for any number of such seatsless than the whole so arranged as that the reversal of one seat eitherby actuating the rod or by bodily moving a chair or chair-supportingbeam shall cause the similar reversal of adjacent seat or seats.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichFigure 1 is a front elevation of a twin-seat structure embodying ourinvention. Fig. 2

V is a plan view thereof, the chairs being removed from their supportingmechanism and two positions of the seat being indicated in dotted lines.v Referring to the drawings. in which similar letters denotecorresponding parts, the seat mechanism is here shown as mounted upon apedestal A, pivotally mounted upon which is a beam B, adapted to swingin a horizontal plane upon said pivot. At each end the beam B 13provided with a bearing 6 comprising a vertical orifice of such diameteras to receive a chair-spindle, as hereinafter described. Said beam isalso provided with suitable shaft-bearings b inwhich are mount ed arotary shaft D, provided at each end with a bevel-gear cl.

E E designate twin chairs having backs e e. Said chairs are preferablymounted upon spiders e, and secured to or formed integra with saidspiders are spindles or pivots e of such diameter as to fit snuglywithin the bearings b in the ends of the beam B.

v e e designate bevel-gears keyed or otherwise secured upon the spindlesor pivots e of the chair-spiders. These are arranged in operativerelation to the gears d, carried by the rotary shaft D. As will be seen,the gear a is located near the lower end of the chairpivot e close tothe bearing 6 and meshes therefore with the gear (1 at the upper portionthereof. The gear 6 is mounted lower upon its pivot e and meshestherefore with the lower portion of the gear d with which it coacts. Dueto this arrangement the movement of the chairs E is necessarily in thesame direction.

Mounted upon the shaft D intermediate of its ends is a gear H,preferably keyed to said shaft in such manner as that it may be releasedand slid longitudinally thereon. When in fixed operative position, thegearHmeshes with a track I, here shown as formed integral with (althoughit may be secured to) the upper portion of the pedestal A. Said trackmay be in the form of a continuous circle, where the movement requirednecessitates such construction, or it may be in the form of an arc of acircle, as herein illustrated, where movement of less degree isrequired. As will readily be seen, the movement of the beam B upon itspivot (in this instance shown as extending into the pedestal A) will,through the coaction of the gearH and track I, cause the rotation of theshaft D. This in turn causes, through the gears which are secured to theends thereof, the rotation of the gears which are secured to the pivotsof the chairs. The movement of such chairs and the movement of such beamare therefore interdependent. Movement of one effects that of the other.

In the drawings we have also illustrated means employed for moving thechair structures in multiple. The utilization of this depends not uponthe interdependence of the seat-supporting mechanism and the seats, forsuch means may be employed in a structure. in which there is no movementof the supporting-beam relatively to the pedestal. As here shown, saidmeans comprise an oscillating rod or bar J, which may be secured insuitable bearings (not shown) in the side of a car in which the seatsare adapted to "be placed. At intervals and opposite each seat structuresuch rod or bar is provided with a stud j, which operates in anelongated slot k, formed in one end of a connecting-rod K, the other endof said rod being secured to or formed integral with the beam B of thechair structure, (although it may be secured to the inner chair or anappurtenance thereof.)

Although we prefer to employ the slot-andpin form of connection betweenthe connecting-rod K and the oscillating rod or bar J, it is obviousthat other means may be employedas, for instance, collars secured uponsaid rod or barJ on either side of the end of the connecting-rod K. Assaid rod is oscillated to move the supporting-beam B into one or another of its positions the chairs (where the movement thereof isdependent upon movement of the beam) are caused to turn upon theirpivots, so as to face in the new direction. Said rod may connect all ofthe twin-chair structures upon one side of the car, or any number lessthan the whole, as hereinabove indicated.

We are aware that it has heretofore been proposed to pivotally mount tworevoluble chairs upon a common support and to connect these forinterdependent movement by an endless chain and sprockets. Thisconstruction, however, has been found very objectionable for a varietyof reasons, among these being inherent weakness, the noise whichaccompanies the operation of the seats, and the inevitable stretching ofthe chain, making it necessary either to employ an additional device fortaking up the slack or to constantly modify the length of the chain. Afurther objection is that the construction in question is expensive,both to install and to maintain, constant attention being required tokeep the chain in order in view of the settlin of dust thereon.

'We do not desire to claim herein a car-seat having a pedestal, a beampivoted thereon, the pivotal point being nearer to one end of said beamthan the other, and chairs mounted pivotally or otherwise upon saidbeam, nor a car-seat having a pedestal, a beam pivoted thereon, theportion of said beam on one side of such pivot extending at an angle tothat portion thereof on the other side of said pivot, and chairs mountedupon said beam.

I/Vhat we do claim, however, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a car-seat, the combination with a pedestal, of a beam pivotedthereon, revoluble chairs pivoted upon said beam, a rotary shaft, andgearing intermediate of said shaft said chairs and said pedestal,substantially as described.

2. In a car-seat, the combination with a pedestal, of a beam pivotedthereon, revoluble chairs mounted upon said beam and provided withpivots, gears carried by said pivots, a rotary shaft, and gears carriedthereby and coacting with the gears on said pivots and with a rack onsaid pedestal, substantially as described.

3. In a car-seat, the combination with a pedestal, of two.pivotally-mounted chairs, a rotary shaft, an operative connectionbetween said shaft and said chairs, and an operative connection betweensaid shaft and said pedestal, substantially as described.

4. In a car-seat, the combination with a pedestal, of twopivotally-mounted chairs, a rotary shaft, gearing intermediate of saidshaft and said chairs, and an operative connection between said shaftand said pedestal, substantially as described.

5. In a car-seat, the combination with a pedestal, of twopivotally-mounted chairs, a rotary shaft, gearing intermediate of saidshaft and said chairs, and gearing intermediate of said shaft and saidpedestal, substantially as described.

6. In a car-seat, the combination with a pedestal, of two chairs mountedthereon and having pivots, ears carried by said pivots, a rotary shaftand gears carried thereby and coacting with the gears on said pivots,and an operative connection between said shaft and said pedestal,substantially as described.

7. In a car-seat, the combination with a pedestal, of two chairs mountedthereon and having pivots, gears carried by said pivots, a rotary shaftand gears carried thereby and coacting with the gears on said pivots,and another gear also carried by said shaft and coactin with a gear ortrack connected with said pedestal, substantially as described.

8. A series of reversible car-seats each having two independentlypivoted chairs, a movably-mounted beam constituting a common support foreach pair of such chairs, an extension carried by each of said beams andan operatin -rod connected to and coacting with a plura ity of suchextensions to reverse such pairs of seats in multiple, substantially asdescribed.

This specification signed and witnessed this 11th day of February, 1902.

- JOHN B. KILBURN.

ALBERT N. MOOONNELL.

Witnesses:

H. WARREN K. HALE, PETER J. TUoKER.

